“There was a day when loyalty to labels was more common sense than stubborn naivete. Most of the big indies-- Creation, Warp, 4AD, Sarah, Tommy Boy, Touch and Go, Drag City, Matador, Mute, and Rough Trade, among others-- had identifiable sounds, common sensibilities, and fairly consistent strike rate. Today I can count the number of labels I somewhat consistently embrace on just two fingers: Soul J”
